Uncle Sam Craft: Cootie Catcher

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Looking for a quick and silly way to bring some extra fun to your 4th of July celebration? You’ll love this Uncle Sam Cootie Catcher! This classic paper fortune teller gets a patriotic makeover, transforming into a ready-to-go puppet that kids can fold, play with, and giggle over in minutes — no coloring required!

This adorable cootie catcher is designed to look just like Uncle Sam, complete with his iconic top hat, white beard, and that famous “I Want YOU!” grin. Once folded, Uncle Sam’s mouth opens and closes like a mini puppet, ready to deliver silly jokes, funny fortunes, or just big patriotic smiles to everyone at your backyard BBQ.

What makes this craft extra awesome? It’s totally print-and-play, so there’s no messy supplies or complicated prep. Just print out the template on regular paper, follow a few simple folds, and your Uncle Sam puppet is ready to star in your 4th of July festivities!

This craft is also a fun way to share a few quick facts about how Uncle Sam became an American icon. Did you know the nickname “Uncle Sam” came from Samuel Wilson, who supplied meat to soldiers during the War of 1812? His barrels were stamped “U.S.” and soon soldiers began calling him Uncle Sam — and the legend was born!

Once the puppet is folded, kids can use it as a cootie catcher game or a mini puppet to “talk” during your celebration. It’s perfect for keeping little hands busy while you wait for the fireworks, and it’s a guaranteed hit with cousins, friends, and grown-ups too.

And if your kids love this Uncle Sam craft, they’ll want to check out his sidekick too — our Statue of Liberty Paper Doll! These two crafts make the perfect pair for kids who want to switch up their patriotic looks during your Independence Day party.

Plus, our blog is packed with even more fun 4th of July crafts! From our bright and messy Melted Crayon Fireworks to the adorable Coffee Filter Bald Eagle and easy Clothespin Puppets, you’ll find tons of creative ways to keep the red, white, and blue fun going all day long.

More 4th of July Crafts

So grab your scissors and get folding! This Uncle Sam Cootie Catcher Puppet is a quick and easy way to add big smiles and silly fun to your 4th of July celebration — no markers or glue required. Let freedom (and giggles) ring!

Download your Uncle Sam Cootie Catcher template. You can find the link at the bottom of this post. Print on 8.5x11 white paper. Cut out the pieces.

Fold the cootie catcher in half horizontally and unfold. Then fold the cootie catcher vertically and unfold.

Fun Fact:

Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July, commemorates the day when the United States declared its independence from Great Britain in 1776. It marks the birth of the nation and the beginning of a journey towards liberty and self-governance.

Flip it over so the printed side is facing down. Take the bottom right corner and fold the point into the center. Repeat step on each corner until all four corners are folded.

Fun Fact:

The American flag, with its iconic stars and stripes, is a symbol of pride and unity. Did you know that the flag originally had 13 stars and 13 stripes, representing the 13 original colonies? As new states joined the Union, the flag evolved to feature 50 stars, each representing a state.

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Flip the cootie catcher again so the printed side is facing down. Take the four corners and fold them into the center again.

Fold the cootie catcher in half vertically and horizontally and unfold.

Fun Fact:

Fireworks have become synonymous with 4th of July celebrations. The tradition dates back to the first Independence Day, when John Adams, one of the Founding Fathers, envisioned the day being celebrated with "pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations." So, every year, we light up the night sky to honor this tradition and add sparkle to the festivities!

Slip your fingers under the flaps and open the cootie catcher.

Glue the top sides together and then the bottom sides together. You will no longer be able to open the cootie catcher if you do this but it will help the puppet stay together for kids to play with.

It is now time to glue all of the extras onto Uncle Sam. This is where the cootie catcher really comes to life. Start by glueing the hat to the top of his forehead. Then glue the arms and legs onto the back.

When it comes to glueing the bowtie and goatee onto Uncle Sam, be careful to no use too much glue on these parts. For the bowtie, place just enough glue on the backside to cover the middle circle. Attach it to the front of Uncle Sam's jacket. The goatee just needs a line of glue the covers the top of it then attach it to the chin of Uncle Sam.

GLUEING TIP: After I glue each part, I like to hold it in place long enough for the glue to setup before I move onto the next piece.

Fun Fact:

The Liberty Bell is an enduring symbol of American freedom. It famously bears the inscription, "Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." Today, it can be found on display in Philadelphia, where it rang to announce the reading of the Declaration of Independence for the first time.

How To Download Template:

Before you can begin your craft you need to download the Uncle Sam Cootie Catcher. This download is available to all members for FREE! You heard me correctly, memberships are free to join for everyone who is 18 years an older! Click on the link to signup and to find the Template. You choose which one you want to download and print.

***These printables are intended for personal and school use exclusively. Unauthorized copying, uploading, republishing, distributing or alteration of these files in any manner is strictly prohibited. If you plan to showcase these printables, please ensure to include a link back to artsykidszone.com.

Download Free Uncle Sam Cootie Catcher

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